Of the original 14 forts protecting Bangkok only two survive. Fort Phra Sumen in the northern corner of the district, and Fort Mahakan in the east. Since 2000 a small park named Santichaiphrakarn around Fort Phra Sumen was built.

The area around Phahurat Road (พาหุรัด) can be considered Thailand's "Little India". The road was constructed during King Chulalongkorn's reign over a century ago and Indian community started to form after that. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Thailand's first Sikh temple was built in 1933 near the road. The area is well known for Indian fabric shops and Indian cuisine.

Phra Nakhon was once an amphoe (district) named Chana Songkhram (อำเภอชนะสงคราม). The administration was overhauled on 15 October 1915 when 25 new amphoes were created for inner Bangkok. On 12 March 1928, six of these amphoes, Amphoe Phahurat, Amphoe Samran Rat, Amphoe Phra Ratchawang, Amphoe Chana Songkhram, Amphoe Sam Yot, and Amphoe Bang Khun Phrom were merged to form Amphoe Phra Nakhon. It became Khet Phra Nakhon in 1972.

Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year festival, is celebrated throughout the country from 13–15 April of each year. Khaosan Road (or Khao Sarn Road) in Phra Nakhon District is one notable place to celebrate the event where lots of people, both locals and tourists, come and splash water.

During another famous festival, Loy Krathong, on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month, the Chao Phraya River bank in the district, with numerous piers and Phra Sumen Fort, is a popular place to float lanterns on the water.

Ratchadamnoen Avenue is often heavily decorated with lights around the king's birthday (28 July), the queen mother's birthday (12 August), National Day (5 December) and other major anniversaries. Sanam Luang and recently created Lan Plabpla Maha Chedsada Bodin (ลานพลับพลามหาเจษฎาบดินทร์) in front of Wat Ratchanadda and its Loha Prasat are open spaces that frequently used to celebrate events.